SPRINGFIELD, IL - A new piece of legislation filed by State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) would force members of the General Assembly and statewide office holders to seriously address the state’s budget deficiencies by denying them their pay until all past due vendor accounts are paid in full.

The bill, filed as House Bill 171, states that the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Comptroller, Treasurer, and all members of the General Assembly shall not be entitled to receive any salary or financial remuneration from the state of Illinois until the state has paid in full all vendor accounts that are past due. This would include any reimbursements for travel expenses or per diem. According to the Comptroller, the current backlog of past-due bills is estimated at over $6.5 billion.

If passed, the bill would apply to all vendor accounts that are past due under the State Prompt Payment Act as of the effective date of the legislation.